In his latest video, Luke Ripley, who describes himself as a filmmaker documenting a creative life, explains why he thinks this decades-old compact camera is better for taking photos than the latest iPhone 17 Pro.
The HP Photosmart E317, which features a fixed lens and ultra-compact body, was released back in 2005 when HP were still in the digicam market. Given its short production run, there aren’t many that have survived in good working condition to this day, but they do pop up from time to time on eBay for around $15. It would be much easier to opt for a Canon, Sony, Fuji or Olympus if you want to hop on the digicam trend.
Ripley makes a very valid argument when he says that images on modern cameraphones became a form of digital clutter. Looking at my own camera roll, littered with screenshots, reference photos and a few genuinely pleasing images scattered between them, not to mention the fact that I tend to overshoot, I have to admit he’s right. With old digicams like the HP Photosmart 317, you develop a different kind of relationship to photography. Old tech like this had one job: to take photos. It doesn’t disconnect you from your process, as there are no notifications, games or algorithms involved, just good old photography. Now the Y2K compact camera’s rise in popularity just makes perfect sense.
Photographing with this dedicated camera also reignited his love for street photography, and no wonder why. The HP Photosmart 317 might not be a high-resolution beast – it has a 5MP CCD sensor – but it is as non-intrusive as cameras can come. Weighing only around 100g and fitting snugly in the palm of your hand, it is an excellent choice for street photography.
The sliding door that protects the lens when the camera is not in use makes it especially quirky and tactile, while the built-in xenon flash and a macro switch add some more versatility. Powered by two AA batteries, it’s simple enough to keep going if you stock up, and its image storage is modern, as it accepts SD cards up to 1GB.
Watch the full YouTube video below to see all the fantastic images this 20 year old digicam can produce.
Related reading:
- This YouTuber just made a 100-year-old camera digital for just $40 (and a LOT of effort)
- Standard colour photography is a lie says YouTuber Steve Mould, and he makes a good point
- YouTuber uses full-spectrum camera to capture invisible phenomenon in viral video
- YouTuber invented a lens that can do anything
Do you want to win some great prizes for your photography? Enter your photos in our International Amateur Photographer of the Year competition. Free entry for photographers aged 13-21.
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